Uprzywilejowane partnerstwo w stosunkach z Unią Europejską na przykładzie Konfederacji Szwajcarskiej
- Year of publication: 2011
- Source: Show
- Pages: 18-42
- DOI Address: https://doi.org/10.15804/athena.2011.28.02
- PDF: apsp/28/apsp2802.pdf
SWITZERLAND IS NOT a member of the European Union and does not belong to the European Economic Area (EEA). In 1992 Swiss voters rejected membership of the European Economic Area. However, the three other members of the European Free Trade Agreement – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – did choose to join the EEA. The pragmatic response of the Swiss government since 1992 has been to go the way of bilateralism. Under the Swiss system of direct democracy, an application to join the EU would require a national referendum, and a majority of voters and cantons to be in favour. To ensure Switzerland does not suffer discrimination as a non-member, Swiss legislation in many fields, including trade, has been brought into line with that of the EU. Relations between Switzerland and the EU are developing through bilateral agreements. This led to the privileged partnership, through which Switzerland has obtained several of the advantages of the European integration process, whilst paying a very low cost in regard to economic interests and its domestic political system.